Request for Applications: ArtsWhau Creative Project Grants (New Zealand)

Deadline: 07-Sep-26

ArtsWhau Grants 2026–27 provide approximately $300 to $10,000 to artists, creatives, community groups, art collectives, and eligible organisations for creative projects that strengthen community connections and celebrate the identity of the Whau Local Board area in Auckland, New Zealand. Funding can support artist fees, project management, materials, venue hire, accessibility, promotion, communications, and manaakitanga, with projects required to take place in Whau between October 2026 and June 2027. What Are ArtsWhau Grants? ArtsWhau is an annual community arts funding initiative supported by the Whau Local Board in Auckland, New Zealand. The programme supports creative projects that bring people together, encourage community participation, and celebrate the diverse identity, stories, places, and experiences of the Whau area. The fund is designed to help local artists, creatives, community groups, collectives, and organisations turn creative ideas into activities that have a meaningful local impact. Projects can range from small creative workshops to larger, multi-week programmes involving several artists and community partners. What Is the Purpose of ArtsWhau Funding? ArtsWhau aims to strengthen the connection between creativity and local community development. The programme particularly encourages projects that: - Bring local people together through arts and creative activities. - Celebrate Whau’s diversity and unique identity. - Respond to local stories, places, histories, and experiences. - Encourage community participation and engagement. - Provide opportunities for local artists and creatives. - Create meaningful cultural experiences for residents. - Demonstrate a strong connection between the applicant, project, and Whau community. The strongest proposals are expected to combine a clear creative concept with measurable community benefit. How Much Funding Is Available? ArtsWhau funding ranges from approximately $300 to $10,000, depending on the size, scope, and nature of the proposed project.

Examples include:

- Small-scale projects: Around $300 for activities such as a small workshop.

- Larger projects: Up to $10,000 for multi-week or multi-artist initiatives.

The amount requested should be appropriate for the scale of the project and its expected community outcomes. Applicants should prepare a realistic budget that clearly explains how ArtsWhau funding will be used. What Can ArtsWhau Grants Pay For? Funding can support a range of costs directly connected to delivering an eligible creative project.

Potential eligible expenses include:

- Artist and creative fees. - Project management costs. - Materials and production expenses. - Venue hire. - Accessibility and access support. - Promotion and marketing. - Communications. - Manaakitanga and community hospitality. - Other reasonable project delivery expenses. Applicants should ensure that proposed costs are directly related to the project and represent good value for money. What Types of Projects Are Encouraged? ArtsWhau is suitable for a wide range of creative and community-focused projects.

Examples could include:

- Community art workshops. - Public art and creative installations. - Cultural storytelling projects. - Local history and heritage-inspired creative activities. - Photography or visual arts projects. - Music and performance programmes. - Creative writing and storytelling workshops. - Multi-artist community projects. - Participatory arts programmes. - Projects exploring Whau’s local identity. - Creative activities responding to specific local places or communities. - Projects that encourage interaction between different community groups. Projects do not necessarily need to fit into one specific artistic discipline. The key consideration is whether the idea demonstrates a strong creative approach and meaningful benefit to the Whau community. Who Is Eligible to Apply? ArtsWhau Grants are open to applicants with a meaningful connection to the Whau Local Board area.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Individual artists. - Individual creatives. - Community groups. - Art collectives. - Creative organisations. - Other organisations with a strong connection to Whau. Applicants should be able to demonstrate why they are well placed to deliver the proposed project and how their work connects with the local community. A strong local connection is important because ArtsWhau is specifically intended to support creative activity within the Whau area. What Are the Project Location and Timing Requirements? Projects funded through ArtsWhau must take place within the Whau Local Board area. For the 2026–27 funding round, eligible projects must be delivered between: October 2026 and June 2027. Applicants should ensure that their proposed timeline allows sufficient time for planning, delivery, community engagement, and completion of the project within the eligible period. Why Does ArtsWhau Funding Matter? Local arts programmes can create opportunities for residents to participate in creative activities while strengthening community identity and connection. ArtsWhau supports this by helping local creatives turn ideas into practical community projects.

The programme can contribute to:

- Greater community participation. - Stronger neighbourhood connections. - Increased opportunities for local artists. - Celebration of cultural diversity. - Recognition of local stories and places. - More accessible creative opportunities. - Stronger relationships between artists and communities. - A more vibrant local cultural environment. For emerging artists and community creatives, the funding can also provide an opportunity to test and develop new ideas at a local level. How to Prepare an ArtsWhau Grant Application Applicants should develop their proposal around the connection between creative activity, local identity, and community benefit. A strong application can be prepared through the following steps:

1. Develop a Clear Project Idea

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